Cultural experiences

South African art galleries: Gauteng

JOHANNESBURG

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12 DECADES ART HOTEL
286 Fox Street, Johannesburg
Each room of the self-catering 12 Decades Art Hotel features unique interior decor by some of South Africa's most celebrated artists and designers, representing one of the 12 decades of Johannesburg's history.
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ABSA GALLERY
Absa Towers North, 161 Main Street, Johannesburg
This corporate gallery hosts monthly contemporary art exhibitions and the prominent annual L'Atelier Award. Its impressive collection includes large-scale specially commissioned pieces, works by young contemporary artists and historical South African pieces dating back to the 1900s.
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AFRICAN FEELINGS GALLERY
154 Linden Street, Sandown, Sandton
This commercial space specialises in Southern African and African art with occasional curated exhibitions.

AFRONOVA
155 Smit Street, Braamfontein, Johannesburg
Afronova is a Pan African gallery for modern and contemporary art created by Henri Vergon. It presents exhibitions of modern and contemporary art from the African continent and also represents artists. The gallery has a specialized bookshop with a catalogue of local and international publications on the art of the continent.
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ALICE ART GALLERY
217 Dryf Avenue, Ruimsig, Roodepoort
Owned by Alice Pitzer, Alice Art Galleries have two major galleries, in Ruimsig on the West Rand and Tshwane. They stock works that ranges from the inexpensive to investment status - R500 000 and more.
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ALLIANCE FRANÇAISE
17 Lower Park Drive, Parkview, Johannesburg
The Alliance hosts contemporary South African and international art exhibitions, usually by solo artists, with recent shows by Wayne Barker, Trevor Coleman, Rene Paul, Clifford Charles, Pauline Mazibuku and others. Exhibitions are solicited through proposals.
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ANTON SMIT SCULPTURE PARK
Bronkhorstspruit Dam (see website for directions)
The Anton Smit Sculpture Park, three hectares in size, are situated on the northern side of the Bronkhorstspruit Dam, on a plateau over looking the water. It features a backdrop of natural limestone formations, manicured lawns and succulent gardens, highlighted by an expansive collection of monumental sculptures and installations. Only 40 minutes from Pretoria and an hour from Johannesburg, the Park is a destination of creativity attracting tourists and art buyers.
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ART AFRICA
62 Tyrone Ave, Parkview, Johannesburg
Art Africa will dazzle you with its collection of ethnic arts, crafts and artefacts from around Africa. The shop is split into a front section that carries funky, contemporary and often recycled items from self-help groups in Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal and Limpopo. The back section has an amazing selection of wooden games, head rests, wooden statues and sculptures, wooden and grass bowls and bright African fabrics.

ART AFRIQUE
Shop no U45, Legacy Mall, corner Maude & 5th Streets, Sandton, Johannesburg
Specialising in African and South African art, Art Afrique showcases fine African art, including well known pieces featured in private and corporate collections from around the world.
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ART ON PAPER
44 Stanley Avenue, Braamfontein Werf, Johannesburg
This small and reasonably priced gallery exhibits art from southern Africa with a special focus on works on paper, including all graphic and printmaking techniques as well as drawing. The print cabinets house an impressive collection of contemporary prints, and curator and owner Alet Vorster is welcoming and knowledgeable. Catalogues and books on local art are sold through the gallery.
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ARTIST PROOF STUDIO
The Bus Factory, 1 President Street, Newtown, Johannesburg
This innovative, community-based printmaking studio is situated in the hub of the Newtown Cultural Precinct. It is a training, production and selling facility concentrating on skills transfer and exchange programmes in Southern Africa and abroad.
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ARTISTS UNDER THE SUN
Zoo Lake, cnr Westwold Way and Jan Smuts Ave, Parktown
Over 100 artists exhibit paintings, sculptures, ceramics and pottery at Zoo Lake on the first weekend of every month.
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ARTS ON MAIN
264 Fox Street, Johannesburg
Arts on Main is a hub for Johannesburg's creative community, a place to share and develop ideas. Developed in a newly converted early 1900s bonded warehouse, it features multiple creative experiences in one venue, including a restuarant, event and exhibition spaces, an outdoor cinema, and a rooftop bar.
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ARTONESIXTY GALLERY
Corner 7th Street and Jan Smuts Avenue, Rosebank, Johannesburg
Art One Sixty features contemporary art, new artists and an ever-changing schedule of displays. Included in the exhibits is exclusive hand-crafted costume jewellery.
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ARTSPACE
Gallery: 1 Chester Court, 142 Jan Smuts Avenue Parkwood, Rosebank, Johannesburg
Warehouse: 3 Hetty Avenue, Fariland, Parkwaood, Rosebank
Since opening in 2001, the Artspace Gallery has worked with talented, up and coming, as well as contemporary South African artists. The Warehouse is a satellite gallery of Artspace and was designed to be a salon space presenting the ever changing array of works stocked by the gallery. However, demand has led to it too hosting exhibitions.
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BAG FACTORY, AKA FORDSBURG ARTISTS' STUDIOS
10 Minnaar Street, Fordsburg
Johannesburg's longest-established communal artists' studio complex, the Bag Factory houses 15 local artists full time, including some of South Africa's most established names, as well as three studios for international artists-in-residence. Founded some 10 years ago to encourage dialogue between South African and visiting artists, it has major political and cultural importance. It houses the Artists Press and a gallery, and is developing a multipurpose workshop space for educational purposes. It has excellent links with institutions and facilities in the area.
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BATANAI ARTWORKS
52 6th Avenue, Parkhurst, Johannesburg
Batanai Artworks shows African art from southern Africa, focusing especially on high quality stone sculptures by master sculptors.
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BENSUSAN MUSEUM OF PHOTOGRAPHY
121 Bree Street, Newtown Cultural Precinct, Newtown
Part of MuseumAfrica, this space focuses on the history of photography and exhibits a permanent collection of optical toys, mirrors and lenses, exposing the public to the principles of photography and cinematography. It has a temporary exhibition space showing historical and contemporary work by local and international artists.
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CHAPANGU GARDEN GALLERY
304 Adolf Street, Strathavon, Sandton
This 1.5-acre commercial garden gallery in Sandton is home to select pieces by Zimbabwean stone sculpture masters. Artists include Agnes Nyanhongo, Colleen Madamombe, Dominic Benhura, Joe Mutasa and the late Bernard Matemera and many others.

CHERIE DE VILLIERS FINE ART GALLERY
Shop UM25, Hyde Park Corner, Cnr William Nichol & Jan Smuts, Hyde Park, Johannesburg
Established in Johannesburg in 1993, the Cherie de Villiers Fine Art Gallery offers an extensive range of paintings and bronze sculpture by leading South African artists.
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CIRCA ON JELLICOE
2 Jellicoe Avenue Rosebank, Johannesburg
Extending the legacy and passion of the Everard Read Gallery on Jellicoe Avenue, they have, with award winning architectural firm studioMAS, created a striking sculptural structure that is as bold a creative statement as the contemporary art it will host. Gallery owner Mark Read's courageous vision for this new gallery is to provide an opportunity for everyone, with varying stylistic interests, to look at art inclusively within in a venue that will offer patrons a complete experience of art in all its manifestations.
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CO-OP
68 Juta Street, Braamfontein, Johannesburg
Co-Op provides a platform for new and emerging work in the fields of contemporary art and design, and features a diverse program of exhibitions, events and exclusive collaborations.
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DAVID BROWN FINE ART
Nelson Mandela Square, Sandton City, Sandton, Johannesburg
David Brown Fine Art features a contemporary space with a large sculpture garden. The gallery exhibits contemporary paintings, sculptures, photography and ceramics in a variety of styles.
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DAVID KRUT PUBLISHING
140 Jan Smuts Avenue, Parkwood, Johannesburg
David Krut Publishing publishes high quality books on contemporary South African art and architecture with the intention of encouraging an awareness of the wealth of creative talent in South Africa and promoting local writing on a range of subjects.
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EVERARD READ GALLERY
6 Jellicoe Avenue, Rosebank, Johannesburg
This commercial art gallery showcases quality work by local and international artists, holding monthly exhibitions of contemporary South African artists including Dylan Lewis, John Meyer, Helen Sebidi, Vusi Khumalo, Henk Serfontein and others. It also deals extensively in investment-focused wildlife and traditional painting and sculpture.
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FIRENZE GALLERY
DF Malan Extension, Elandsdrift, Muldersdrift
Paintings by Maureen Rugani in all media, as well as ceramics, stained glass, decoupage, pottery and hand-crafted knives.

GALLERY 181
36 Orleans Road, Kya Sands, Randburg, Johannesburg
Gallery 181 features an extensive and representative collection of authentic South African art, collected over 14 years, from artists in the Limpopo province, where sculpture is deeply rooted in tradition.
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GALLERY MOMO
52 7th Avenue, Parktown North, Johannesburg
Gallery Momo exhibits local contemporary work that goes beyond modern art and sees itself as an "alternative venue" for artists.
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GALLERY ON THE SIDE
Pineslopes Shopping Centre, Witkoppen Road, Fourways, Sandton, Johannesburg
Boasting one of the largest collections of Fine Art in South Africa, this South African art gallery displays over 3,000 unique items in stock. Established in 1998, Gallery on the Side is right in the heart of the luxury office and residential belt of Gauteng, which services the Sandton CBD. It occupies 250m² and incorporates a true African Boma gallery on two levels – choice South African Art, African Artefacts and International Graphics are on offer together with a comprehensive framing service.
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GALLERY ON THE SQUARE
Nelson Mandela Square, corner Maude and Fifth streets, Sandton
A commercial gallery focusing on prints, painting, sculpture and ceramics. International names include Picasso, Joan Miro, David Hockney and Jim Dine, while local artists include Regi Bardavid, Colbert Mashile, the Ardmore Ceramic Studio and others.
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GALLERY SEIPPEL
Arts on Main, 40 Berea Street, corner 245 Main Street, Johannesburg
Gallery Seippel shows upcoming South African and European contemporary art. It encourages a cultural exchange between the Seippel Gallery in Cologne and the Johannesburg gallery, which was opened in 2007, and often invites artists from South Africa to exhibit in Europe and vice versa.
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GODART GALLERY
78, 3rd Avenue Melville, Johannesburg
The Godart Gallery promotes contemporary South African art and is located in the trendy suburb of Melville. It is a a contemporary developmental gallery, giving newcomers are given an opportunity to break into the art world.
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GOODMAN GALLERY
163 Jan Smuts Avenue, Parkwood, Johannesburg
South Africa's most established commercial space, this gallery was founded in 1966 and remains at the forefront of the local contemporary art scene. It represents a variety of artists, both local and international, and has a regular exhibition programme of primarily solo and two-person shows. It is home to William Kentridge, Penny Siopis, Sam Nhlengethwa, Zwelethu Mthethwa, David Koloane and David Goldblatt, among other top names.
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GRAHAM'S FINE ART GALLERY
Unit 46, Broadacres Lifestyle Centre, corner Cedar and Valley Roads, Broadacres, Fourways, Johannesburg
An investment and fine art gallery, Graham's Fine Art Gallery specializes in only the finest collection of work from artists such as Irma Stern, Maggie Laubser, Hendrik Pierneef, Hugo Naude, Gerard Sekoto, Alexis Preller and Walter Battiss.
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HENRY TAYLOR GALLERY
Shop No G 7.2, Cedar Square, corner Cedar and Witkoppen Roads, Fourways, Johannesburg
Henry Taylor specialises in the Old Masters. The gallery features a diversity Old Masters, as well as up and coming artists, who have been earmarked as the next generation of Old Masters.
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IN TOTO GALLERY
6 Birdhaven Centre, 66 St. Andrew Street, Birdhaven, Johannesburg
In Toto strives to offer the best of many different genres and a range of styles that will cater to the established art collector, as well as newcomers to the art scene.
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JOHANNESBURG ART GALLERY
Klein and King George Streets, Joubert Park, Johannesburg
This Edward Lutyens-designed building houses impressive collections of 17th century Dutch paintings, 18th and 19th century British and European art, 19th century South African works, a large contemporary collection of 20th century local and international art and a print cabinet containing works from the 15th century to the present. As a major focus of urban regeneration programmes, it provides the base for the Joubert Park Public Art Project and is developing links with awareness groups and community centres based in the surrounding urban area.
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KIM SACKS GALLERY
153 Jan Smuts Avenue, Parkwood, Johannesburg
This commercial gallery specialises in contemporary South African design, fine craft objects and folk and tribal art from the continent, including jewellery, wood carvings, furniture, ceramics, and basketwork.
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MARKET PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP
Market Cultural Precinct, 139 Bree Street, Newtown, Johannesburg
A community-based photographic training centre with studios and darkroom facilities, the Photo Workshop's gallery shows work by current and former students.
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MUSEUMAFRICA
Mary Fitzgerald Square, 121 Bree Street, Newtown, Johannesburg
The museum exhibits objects related to Johannesburg's labour history, culture, art, music and politics. It also features a journey through the glory years of Africa's past. It houses the Bensusan Museum of Photography and the Museum of South African Rock Art, as well as a geological collection. Temporary exhibition spaces host multidisciplinary festivals, contemporary art and student shows.
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NGWENYA ART GALLERY
Sunridge Farm, Corner Beyers Naude & Diepsloot R114, Mulderdrift
Glassware, vases, bowls, candle holders, glasses, animal figurines, ornaments and corporate gifts crafted from recycled glass. Talented glassblowers demonstrate their skills every weekday and last weekend of the month.

OBERT CONTEMPORARY
14 the High Street, Melrose Arch, Johannesburg
6th Floor, 155 Smit Street, Braamfontein, Johannesburg
The Obert Contemporary has a flagship gallery in in Melrose Arch and an inner-city venue in Braamfontein. It is committed to the careers of a select group of contemporary artists from southern Africa. The gallery represents established artists with extensive local and international exhibition experience.

OBJEKT
32 7th Avenue, Parktown North, Johannesburg
Objekt is located at Parktown Quarters and is committed to South African craft. It features artwork, ceramics, furniture, interior goods, and jewellery. Exhibitions, featuring a wide variety of artists, are also hosted at Objekt.
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PURPLE HEART GALLERY
Cnr. Christiaan De Wet & John Vorster Avenue, Weltevreden Park, Roodepoort
Owned by Letitia Stalker, Purple Heart Gallery is actively dedicated to promoting established and up-and-coming South African artists, focusing on work that is appealing and decorative.
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ROODEPOORT MUSEUM GALLERY
Civic Centre, 100 Christiaan de Wet Road, Florida Park, Roodepoort
The Roodepoort Museum Gallery houses a collection of decorative art, glass and porcelain, representing such famous names as Royal Doulton, Meissen, Rosenthal, Daum, Royal Worchester, Lalique, Wedgewood, Etling and Clarisse Cliff.
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ROOKE GALLERY
Ground floor, The Newtown, Newtown, Johannesburg
Working only with a select few artists, the Rooke Gallery aims to further the appreciation of contemporary art. The gallery hosts a strictly limited number of exhibitions annually, all of which are designed to appeal to a growing art public with an appreciation for the avant-garde.
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SABC CORPORATE ART COLLECTION
Radio Park, Henley Road, Auckland Park, Johannesburg
The collection holds 700 historical and contemporary works by various South African artists, including Kay Hassan, David Koloane, William Kentridge, Christine Dixie, Wayne Barker and Robert Hodgins. Some excellent contemporary works are displayed to the public in the foyer of Radio Park, and ways of exposing the collection to a wider audience are being worked on. In recent times the primary concern has been to acquire work by black artists and other artists previously under-represented in the collection.

SEEDPOD STUDIO
Broadacres Garden Centre, Cedar Rd, Fourways, Johannesburg
The Seed Pod Studio has grown from a small ceramics studio into a large Arts & Crafts studio focusing on many crafts including: ceramics, decoupage, mixed media and mosaics.
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SPAZA ART GALLERY
19 Wilhelmina Street, Troyeville, Johannesburg
The Spaza Art Gallery is community-based in a multi-cultured neighbourhood in the inner city of Johannesburg. It is a non-profit organisation that offers paintings, sketches, drawings, stone work from Lesotho, recycled works, decorated iron furniture, mosaic pieces, jewellery and more.
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STANDARD BANK GALLERY
Corner Simmonds and Fredericks streets, Johannesburg
A corporate, non-commercial space situated in Johannesburg's downtown CBD, the gallery hosts high-profile exhibitions by local and international artists and major travelling exhibitions. Temporary theme-based exhibitions are curated from the Collection of African Art (held at the Gertrude Posel Gallery, Wits) with a strong educational focus aimed at scholars, students, academics and the general public. Annual attractions include the World Press Photo Award and the Standard Bank Young Artist exhibitions.
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STEVENSON JOHANNESBURG
62 Juta Street, Braamfontein, Johannesburg
The Stevenson Gallery hosts solo and group exhibitions that engage with contemporary art practice in South Africa as well as Africa and its diaspora. There is also a Stevenson Gallery in Cape Town.
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THOMPSON GALLERY
78 3rd Avenue, Melville, Johannesburg
The Thompson Gallery specialises in South African contemporary art, with regular exhibitions that include sculptures, paintings and glasswork.

TOTEM GALLERY
Sandton City Shopping Centre, Shop U 17a, Upper Level, Sandton, Johannesburg
The Totem Gallery, which was founded in 1968, trades in high quality, authentic African art, which it ships worldwide.
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UJ ARTS CENTRE
UJ Arts Centre, Cnr Kingsway and University Road, Auckland Park
The University of Johannesburg Art Gallery exhibits contemporary South African art and group exhibitions by younger generation artists. Through the gallery, the university has occasionally commissioned site-specific public works, installed on campus.
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UNITY GALLERY
The Bus Factory, 3 President Street, Newtown, Johannesburg
The gallery exhibits works by emerging artists, young and old, handcrafted figures and hosts spoken-word events.
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WATERCOLOUR SOCIETY AFRICA
Manor Gallery, Norscot Manor Centre, Penguin Drive, Fourways, Johannesburg
The WSA was founded in 1975 with the objective of promoting the art and practice of watercolour painting. It has branches in Johannesburg, Centurion, Durban, Nelspruit, and Polokwane, and also hosts informal meetings in other areas. Exhibits are held at the Manor Gallery in Johanensburg.
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PRETORIA ART GALLERIES

ANTON VAN WOUW MUSEUM
Ou Merensky Library, University of Pretoria, Pretoria
Dutch sculptor Anton van Wouw was best known for laying the foundations of traditional South African bronze sculpture. His works include African studies of the indigenous people of South Africa, as well as many monumental busts of leading Afrikaner leaders of the early 20th century.
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ARTCASE INC
22 Chaumont, 174 Catherine Drive, La Montagne, Pretoria
Artcase Inc exhibits paintings, sculpture, gall art, works on paper and hand embroidered art. They do consultations at the art gallery or visit homes and offices.
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ASSOCIATION OF ARTS PRETORIA
173 Mackie Street, Nieuw Muckleneuk, Pretoria
A non-profit organisation, the Association of the Arts Pretoria promotes visual arts in all its forms. It features inter-connected art galleries in the peaceful setting of the Austin Roberts Park and Sanctuary. The Association hosts about 30 exhibitions annually and also puts on lectures, art classes and workshops for 500 to 1 000 people per month.
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CENTURION ART GALLERY
Corner Cantonments Rd and Unie Avenue, Lyttelton Manor, Centurion
Affiliated to the Pretoria Art Gallery, the Centurion Art Gallery specialises in South African art. It collects, documents and conserves outstanding examples of mainly South African art, researches and compiles exhibitions from the permanent collection, and hosts major national and international travelling exhibitions, supplemented by educational activities.
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CREATURE POTS
8 East Avenue, Irene
Creature Pots creates works of art that celebrate South Africa's small wild creatures and encourage a love for them. The artists all express themselves in their own unique styles.
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DESIGN SHOP
105 Club Avenue, Waterkloof Heights, Pretoria
The Design Shop promotes South African design, applied art and selected crafts. It provides a showcase for young talent as well as established designers and creates opportunities for skills development and wealth creation for all South Africans, including those who have been historically disadvantaged and have difficult access to the local and international markets.
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EDOARDO VILLA MUSEUM
Old Merensky Library, University of Pretoria, Pretoria
Permanent displays in the museums are 143 works which consist of heads, plaster of Paris reliefs, figures, tapestry, polystyrene sculptures in steel and charcoal studies. The exhibits are supported by documentary videos.
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FRIED CONTEMPORARY ART GALLERY & STUDIO
430 Charles Street, Brooklyn, Pretoria
The Fried Contemporary Art Gallery and Studio exhibits the works of established artists, as well as of selected upcoming and previously unrecognised artists. Their shows are mostly curated and the focus is on good conceptual art, as well as on providing investment choices to art buyers and collections.
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PRETORIA ART MUSEUM
Corner Schoeman and Wessels streets, Arcadia Park, Arcadia, Pretoria
The museum's permanent collections include South African old masters, works from the Lady Michaelis Collection, international graphic art and 17th century Dutch paintings. The 20th century collection includes works by Irma Stern, Gerard Sekota and Judith Mason, among others. The various exhibitions halls host a number of concurrent exhibitions, some of which are aimed at school art syllabuses. A major new show opens every three months. An annual attraction is the Sasol New Signatures art prize, awarded to a young artist who has not yet held a solo exhibition.
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THE SHOWROOM
78C Plot, Leander Way, Olympus, Pretoria East
The Showroom aims to show off the best of South African art, and also features a section for new talent. They feature a wide variety of art, including Persian rugs and pewter objects.
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THE UNIVERSITY OF PRETORIA ART COLLECTION
University of Pretoria, Pretoria
Located in various buildings across the university's campus, the University of Pretoria art Collection contains the works of 250 painters and graphic artists, 60 sculptors and 14 potters. They include include substantial collections of particular artists. In total there are 2 760 paintings, 800 sculptures (the largest collection in South Africa) and 30 ceramic pieces.
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THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH AFRICA ART GALLERY
Kgorong Building, University of South Africa Main Campus, Preller Street, Pretoria
A regular exhibition programme focuses mainly on core issues in the Unisa Fine Arts and Art History degrees through curated group exhibitions. The permanent collection is a good representation of historical and contemporary South African art.
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TINA SKUKAN ART GALLERY
6 Koedoeberg Road, Faerie Glen, Pretoria
The Tina Skukan Art Gallery, situated on one of the last remaining small holdings in Faerie Glen, hosts monthly exhibitions of established artists, as well as events such as artists talks, demonstrations, walkabouts and performances. The exhibition areas include a sculptural garden.
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